The State of Michigan is to introduce a state wide data collection system to calculate the current recycling rate under legislation signed yesterday by Governor Rick Snyder.

“Michigan can do much better on our recycling rate, and the first step to improvement is figuring out where we stand today,” explained Snyder.

Senate Bill 507, authored by State Senator Mike Green, will create a data reporting system for recycling establishments that is intended to allow the State to determine a baseline recycling rate.

The Governor has charged Michigan with doubling the municipal recycling rate, from an estimated 15% to 30%. However, prior to the introduction of this law there was no mechanism in place that allowed the State to accurately calculate the recycling rate.

Under the law recycling establishments will be required to submit data to the Department of Environmental Quality on their location and the amounts of recyclable materials received and shipped.

The bill exempts retail establishments that collect returnable beverage containers, end-users of recyclable materials, and drop-off locations that send materials to a registered recycling establishment from having to report.

There is no fee associated with the data collection and reporting requirements.